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Fall 2009

Seminar in Molecular Genetics: DNA Makes RNA

Faculty

Description

If the basic tenants of eukaryotic molecular biology have followed the prokaryotic paradigm (DNA makes RNA makes protein) established decades ago, the diverse ways in which our genes are regulated continue to surprise. In particular, the extent to which eukaryotic genomes are transcribed but not translated contributes to the growing appreciation of RNA as a regulatory molecule. Using articles from the recent scientific literature, this course will focus on topics such as: the diverse roles of micro RNAs in regulating gene expression; the extent and possible function of “antisense” transcripts; modification of RNA transcripts (including those not encoding protein) by alternative splicing and editing; and the role of non-coding RNAs in X chromosome inactivation and other epigenetic phenomena. Three classroom hours per week. Requisite: Biology 25 or two courses from the following list: Biology 22, 24, 27, 29, 30 and 34. Limited to 12 students. Fall semester. Professor Ratner.